Watson Series Premiere Highlights Randall Park as James Moriarty
The debut episode of CBS’s Watson unveiled a shocking twist in the casting of antagonist James Moriarty — but how will this intriguing plot unfold?
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the series premiere of Watson
In a preview of the series, which aired on Sunday, January 26, John Watson’s (Morris Chestnut) associate Shinwell Johnson (Ritchie Coster) held a clandestine meeting with the notorious Moriarty, who was responsible for Sherlock Holmes’ demise. The part was disclosed to be played by Randall Park, with Chestnut commending his co-star’s performance prior to the premiere.
“Firstly, Randall Park — apart from being an outstanding actor — is a wonderful individual. He truly excelled on the show,” the 56-year-old actor shared exclusively with Us Weekly. “There’s a good chance he will appear multiple times throughout the first season.”
Chestnut hinted that Moriarty will be “definitely looming” over Watson, stating, “He’s certainly made an impact on all of us — not just Watson. His presence has definitely affected all of us. As the season progresses, I can assure you that the pilot will not be the last time you see Moriarty.”
Inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales, Watson is set six months after Moriarty’s tragic defeat of the iconic detective. Watson struggles with the absence of his closest friend and ally by embarking on a medical journey as the head of a clinic focused on rare diseases.
“I did not look into any previous portrayals of Watson. I did read some of the literature and reviewed other adaptations out there. I felt this character was distinct because other Watsons frequently do not take center stage,” Chestnut elaborated to Us regarding his preparation. “The narrative is traditionally conveyed from Sherlock’s perspective, whereas this version is told from Watson’s viewpoint in a unique way. We are part of the larger narrative, but the clinic and detective work do not fall under that original mythology.”
While Watson frequently references Sherlock Holmes, the character has only been depicted from behind. According to Chestnut, it remains uncertain whether the series will feature an actor as Holmes. “I wish I could tell you if we’re going to see Holmes in any capacity,” he mentioned to Us.
Chestnut’s character will be joined by a host of fresh faces. Eve Harlow plays a highly skilled neurologist named Ingrid with a suspicious background, while Peter Mark Kendall portrays twin brothers — Stephens and Adam — specialists in infectious diseases and functional medicine. Inga Schlingmann appears as Sasha, a rheumatology and immunology expert, and Rochelle Aytes portrays Watson’s ex-wife, Mary.
“Watson cannot single-handedly tackle everything. He needs his team,” Chestnut remarked. “Throughout the season, there will be instances that might create distance between him and his team, but there will also be events that bring them closer under a shared mission.”
Audiences should remain cautious — particularly with Moriarty still at large.
“We cannot blindly trust everyone on the team. However, I can confidently say all of these doctors are exceptional in unique ways. They are both remarkable and highly intelligent medical professionals. Watson has brought them together because he can no longer rely on just surface observations,” he elaborated. “There are intriguing aspects about each person that caught Watson’s attention during their interviews. They are enigmatic, and we aren’t privy to all their secrets, but something about them piques Watson’s curiosity.”
Watson returns to CBS on Sunday, February 16, with new episodes available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day.
